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Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Got to get their attention
I once heard a story about a farmer and his mule. There was this farmer who was trying to load his mule into a trailer, but the mule wouldn't budge. He pushed. He pulled. He pushed again. The animal just wouldn't move for anything. All the while, another man had been watching, and finally starts laughing at the farmer. The farmer is furious that another man could just sit back and watch as he worked so hard to no avail. Seeing his anger, the man decides to offer his assistance. He asks the man, "Do you mind, if I try?" The farmer, says, "Sure but I think you'll be wasting your time. He won't budge." The man walks up to the trailer, picks up a pick-axe handle, and hits the mule square in the jaw. The mule stumbles, naturally, but then locks his legs once again. The farmer is in disbelief. He isn't sure what to think. Suddenly the man rares back, and swings the pick-axe handle one more time. The mule stumbles again. This time he looks a bit dazed. The man grabs the mules bridle, and gently walks the mule onto the trailer. The astonished farmer looks at the man, and asks, "How did you do that?" The man simply replies, "Sometimes you just have to get their attention." he turns away, and leaves.
How many time in our lives have we been the mule? We can sometimes be so set in our ways, that we don't see when we need to do something, no matter how it will affect our lives. How many times have we been the farmer? Sometimes we can be the one trying to talk some one into doing something that we know is best for them, but they just won't move. How many times have we been the other man? How many times have we had to do or say something that may not be seen as the best, just to get someone's attention? I can say I have been in all 3 positions. I'm not saying that I have ever gone and hit someone with a pick-axe handle, just to make them see. Nor am I recommending it, no matter how much better you think it will make you feel. I am merely stating that the decisions we make, the attitudes we have, and our ways can have a real affect on which position we will find ourselves in. Where do you find yourself most of the time?
How many time in our lives have we been the mule? We can sometimes be so set in our ways, that we don't see when we need to do something, no matter how it will affect our lives. How many times have we been the farmer? Sometimes we can be the one trying to talk some one into doing something that we know is best for them, but they just won't move. How many times have we been the other man? How many times have we had to do or say something that may not be seen as the best, just to get someone's attention? I can say I have been in all 3 positions. I'm not saying that I have ever gone and hit someone with a pick-axe handle, just to make them see. Nor am I recommending it, no matter how much better you think it will make you feel. I am merely stating that the decisions we make, the attitudes we have, and our ways can have a real affect on which position we will find ourselves in. Where do you find yourself most of the time?
